Optical disk driver and operational processing apparatus having such optical disk driver

ABSTRACT

An optical disk driver using a top-loading mechanism is coupled to an operational processor, such as a personal computer. The term “a top-loading mechanism” means a mechanism for inserting and/or ejecting an optical disk via a top surface of the optical disk driver. Additionally, a display unit used for the operational processor can be located on an operational processing apparatus comprising such an optical disk driver and an operational processor. The optical disk driver includes a first case ( 12 ), accommodated in a housing ( 10 a) having the operational processor therein, a second case ( 11 ); movable from a first position to a second position, the second case ( 11 ) projecting from the first case ( 12 ) so that an optical disk can be inserted and/or ejected via a top surface of the second case ( 11 ) when the second case being located at the first position, the second case being accommodated in the first case to be operatively connected to the operational processor when the second case ( 11 ) being located at the second position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to optical disk drivers whichdrives optical disks (generally called CD-ROMs) and operationalprocessing apparatuses having such optical disk drivers therein, andmore particularly to an optical disk driver using a top-loadingmechanism and an operational processing apparatus having such an opticaldisk driver therein. The term “a top-loading mechanism”, as used herein,means a mechanism for inserting and/or ejecting an optical disk via atop surface of the optical disk driver. And the term “an operationalprocessing apparatus”, as used herein, means an apparatus having anoperational processor, such as a personal computer, and a CD-ROM driver.

FIGS. 1 to 3 shows example of different types of CD-ROM drivers. FIG. 1shows a CD-ROM driver using the top-loading mechanism separated from apersonal computer. FIG. 2 shows a CD-ROM driver having the top-loadingmechanism united with a personal computer. FIG. 3 shows a CD-ROM driverhaving a front-loading mechanism united with a personal computer. Theterm “a front-loading mechanism”, as used herein, means a mechanism forinserting and/or ejecting an optical disk from a radial directionthereof via a front surface of the optical disk driver. The numbers 1, 4and 6 indicate CD-ROM drivers, numbers 2, 5 and 7 indicate personalcomputers, a number 3 indicates an interface cable, a number 5aindicates a display unit, and a number 8 indicates a CD-ROM,respectively.

However, the above conventional CD-ROM drivers have the followingdisadvantages:

1. Since the CD-ROM driver 1 in FIG. 1 is coupled to the personalcomputer 2 via the interface cable 3, a relatively large space isnecessary in which to locate the operational processing apparatus;

2. Since the CD-ROM driver 4 in FIG. 2 uses the top-loading mechanism, adisplay unit 5a cannot be placed on the personal computer 5;

3. Since the CD-ROM driver 6 uses the front-loading mechanism which ismore complicated than the top loading mechanism, the cost of theoperational processing apparatus becomes more expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providea novel and useful optical disk driver and an operational processingapparatus having such an optical disk driver in which the abovedisadvantages are eliminated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an optical diskdriver using a relatively simple loading mechanism, an operationalprocessing apparatus having such an optical disk driver which isrelatively small, and on which a display unit can be placed.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an opticaldisk driver which comprises a first case, accommodated in a housinghaving an operational processor therein, the first case beingoperatively connected to the operational processor and the first casehaving an inserting opening, a second case, movable from a firstposition to a second position, the second case projecting from the firstcase so that an optical disk can be inserted and/or ejected via a topsurface of the second case when the second case is located at the firstposition, the second case being accommodated in the first case so thatthe second case is operatively connected to the operational processorvia the first case when the second case is located at the secondposition, and the second case being inserted into the first case and/orprojected therefrom via the inserting opening of the first case, anddriving means for driving the optical disk inserted into the secondcase.

Another more specific object of the present invention is to provide anoperational processing apparatus which comprises a housing, aoperational processor accommodated in said housing, and an optical diskdriver comprising a first case, accommodated in said housing, the firstcase being operatively connected to the operational processor and thefirst case having an inserting opening, a second case, movable from afirst position to a second position, the second case projecting from thefirst case so that an optical disk can be inserted and/or ejected via atop surface of the second case when the second case is located at thefirst position, the second case being accommodated in the first case sothat the second case is operatively connected to the operationalprocessor via the first case when the second case is located at thesecond position, and the second case being inserted into the first caseand/or projected therefrom via the inserting opening of the first case,and driving means for driving the optical disk inserted into said secondcase.

According to the present invention, the optical disk driver uses atop-loading mechanism in which an optical disk is inserted and/orejected via the top surface of the second case. Therefore, the loadingmechanism thereof is simpler than that using a front-loading mechanismso that the cost of the operational processing apparatus can be keptinexpensive. Moreover, the optical disk driver is united to theoperational processor when the second case is located at the secondposition so that the operational processing apparatus is located in arelatively small space. Additionally, the first case is accommodated inthe housing whereas the optical disk driver uses the top-loadingmechanism so that a display unit can be placed on the housing.

Other objects and further features of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description when read conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 to 3 are perspective views of conventional CD-ROM drivers;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an operational processing apparatus of afirst embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an operational processing apparatus of asecond embodiment according to the present invention, which enlargedview corresponds to the vicinity of an engagement part in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the operational processing apparatusshown in FIG. 4 into which a CD-ROM can be inserted;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the operational processing apparatusshown in FIG. 4 from which a CD-ROM has been ejected;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an operational processing apparatus of athird embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a CD-ROM driver shown in FIG. 8 inwhich a CD-ROM can be inserted;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the CD-ROM driver shown in FIG. 8from which a CD-ROM has been ejected;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a CD-ROM driver of a fourthembodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a CD-ROM driver with a lid closedviewed from a direction B shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining an accommodation case shown in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 14 to 19 are views for explaining an operational processingapparatus of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A description will now be given of a CD-ROM driver and an operationalprocessing apparatus having such a CD-ROM driver therein of a firstembodiment according to the present invention with reference to FIGS. 4to 6. Same elements will be designated by the same correspondingreference numerals, and the description thereof will be given once.

The operational processing apparatus 10 according to the presentinvention comprises a housing 10a, a personal computer (not shown)accommodated in the housing 10a, an accommodation case 12 accommodatedin the housing, and a CD-ROM driver 11 insertable into the accommodationcase 12 and/or projectable therefrom.

The CD-ROM driver 11 drives a CD-ROM 13 when the CD-ROM driver 11 isinserted into the accommodation case 12. Therefore, it may be said thatthe CD-ROM driver 11 accommodated in the accommodation case 12corresponds to the CD-ROM driver 1 shown in FIG. 1. The CD-ROM driver 11is projected from the accommodation case 12 when the CD-ROM 13 is to beinserted into the CD-ROM driver 11 and/or ejected therefrom, and theCD-ROM driver 11 is inserted into the accommodation case 12 when theCD-ROM 13 is to be driven. Since the CD-ROM driver 11 is integrated andelectrically connected with the personal computer in the housing 10a viathe accommodation case 12, the operational processing apparatus 10 canbe located in a relatively small space. Since the CD-ROM driver 11 andthe accommodation case 12 are accommodated in the housing 10a, a displayunit (not shown) can be placed on the housing 10a. Moreover, the CD-ROMdriver 11 uses the top-loading mechanism which is less complicated thanthe front-loading mechanism so that the cost of the operationalprocessing apparatus is kept inexpensive. A description will now begiven of the operation of the CD-ROM driver 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CD-ROM driver 11 is located at a first positionwhere the CD-ROM 11 driver is projected from the accommodation case 12when the CD-ROM 13 is to be inserted into the CD-ROM driver 11 and/orejected therefrom. On the other hand, the CD-ROM driver 11 is located ata second position where the CD-ROM driver 11 is inserted into theaccommodation case 12 when the CD-ROM 13 is to be driven. The CD-ROMdriver 11 is movable between the first position and the second position.Incidentally, the CD-ROM driver 11 according to the embodiment has a lid19 at a top surface thereof, and the CD-ROM 13 is inserted into theCD-ROM driver 11 and/or ejected therefrom via the lid 19. Whether thelid 19 is provided or not is a matter of choice. The lid 19 can beopened and/or closed around an axis 22 by hand. The CD-ROM 13 is placedat a disk table 20 of a driving part 14, and is driven there. After theCD-ROM 13 is placed on the disk table 20 and the lid 19 is closed, thenthe front part 14a of the driving part 14 is pushed by hand s that theCD-ROM driver 11 is inserted into the accommodation case 12. The CD-ROM13 is fixed on the disk table 20 by a clamper 21. A description will nowbe given of the movement between the first position and the secondposition of the CD-ROM driver 11.

The CD-ROM driver 11 moves with a rail 15 mounted on a side surfacethereof. The accommodation case 12 has rollers 16 which determine a pathof the rail 15. The rollers 16 hold and support the rail 15 from the topand the bottom so that the path of the rail 15 is positioned by therollers 16. The CD-ROM driver 11 can slide between the first positionand the second position by the guidance of the rail 15 and the rollers16. The number and the location of the roller 16 can be changable.Incidentally, the path of the rail 15 may be determined, not by therollers 16, but by a section at an engagement part 12a of theaccommodation case 12 which is engagable with the rail 15, as shown inFIG. 5. The CD-ROM driver 11 is inserted into the accommodation case 12and/or projected therefrom via an insertion opening 12b.

The CD-ROM driver 11 is attracted to a magnet rod 18 when the CD-ROMdriver 11 is moved to the second position, as shown in FIG. 6. Themagnet rod 18 is fixed to the accommodation case 12 via the magnetsupporter 17. The magnet rod 18 magnetically fixes the CD-ROM driver 11to protect it from the inclination of the housing 10a and the externalvibration. The CD-ROM driver 11 can be moved from the second position tothe first position by further pushing the front part 14a. As shown inFIG. 7, the magnet rod 18 is fixed to the magnet supporter by a latchmechanism. The fixation by the latch mechanism is released by furtherpushing the magnet rod 18. Therefore, if the front part 14a is furtherpushed while the CD-ROM driver 11 is located at the second position, themagnet rod 18 is released from the fixation so that it is projectedforward, consequently, the CD-ROM driver 11 is also projected from theaccommodation case 12. Then the CD-ROM driver 11 may be moved to thefirst position by hand.

It is possible to move the CD-ROM driver automatically from the secondposition to the first position, and thus open the lid in synchronizationwith the release of the latch mechanism. A description will now be givenof an operational processing apparatus of a third embodiment accordingto the present invention with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. Theoperational processing apparatus 30 of the embodiment comprises aprojection mechanism 34, a spring 27 which forces a lid 28 in an openingdirection (direction A), a lock mechanism 23, and a lock releasemechanism 40. In this embodiment, the lid 28 has a hook 26. The hook 26is engagable with the lock mechanism 23 to lock the lid 28 in order tokeep the lid closed. The spring 27 is engaged with the axis 22.

The projection mechanism 34 is a mechanism for automatically moving theCD-ROM driver 29 from the second position to the first position insynchronization with the release of the latch mechanism. The projectionmechanism 34 comprises a pin 31 mounted on the side surface 29a of theCD-ROM driver 29, a pin 32 mounted on the accommodation case 12, andtension coiled spring 33 stretched between the pins 31 and 32. Thestrength of the spring 33 is adjustable by changing the location of thepins 31 and 32. Thus, the CD-ROM driver 29 is forced in the direction X₂as it is moved from the second position to the first position. Theprojection mechanism 34 may comprise the pin 31 mounted on theaccommodation case 12, the pin 32 mounted on the side surface 29a, andcompression coiled spring stretched therebetween. In addition, amechanism for reeling a wire by a spring like take-up reel may beapplicable to the projection mechanism 34 instead of the using a coiledspring. Moreover, another mechanism may be used for the projectionmechanism 34 as long as it forces the CD-ROM driver 29 in the directionX₂ as it is moved from the second position to the first position.

The lock mechanism 23 is a mechanism for locking the lid 28 bycooperating with the hook 26. The lock mechanism 23 comprises a hooklever 24 to engage with the hook 26 and a spring 25 forcing the hooklever 24 in an engagement direction. In this embodiment, since theengagement direction corresponds to a clockwise direction, the spring 25forces the hook lever 24 clockwise via a pin 35.

The lock release mechanism 40 is a mechanism for releasing the lock ofthe lock mechanism 23. The lock mechanism 40 comprises a projection 44projecting from the accommodation case 12 in the vicinity of theinsertion opening 12b, a lever 42 mounted on the side surface 29a via apin 41, and a connection rod 43 connecting the lever 42 to the hooklever 24. The lever 42 engages with the projection 44 when the CD-ROMdriver 29 is approximately moved to the first position. When the lever42 engages with the projection 44, as shown in FIG. 10, the lever 42rotates clockwise. Thus, the lever 42 rotates the hook lever 24counterclockwise via the connection rod 43 so that the lock of the lockmechanism 23 is released.

Accordingly, when the CD-ROM driver 29 is located at the second positionshown in FIG. 9, the lid 28 is locked by the engagement of the hook 26and the hook lever 24. And the CD-ROM driver 29 is forced in thedirection X₂ by the spring 33. When the front part 14a is pushed in adirection X₁, the fixation of the magnet supporter 17 is released. Thus,the CD-ROM driver 29 is moved in the direction X₂ by the spring 33 untilthe lever 42 engages with the projection 44. The engagement of the lever42 and the projection 44 releases the lock of the lock mechanism 23. Thethe lid 28 is opened by the spring 27 in synchronization with thereleasing of the lock.

Therefore, the pushing of the front part 14a moves the CD-ROM driver 29automatically from the second position to the first position, and opensthe lid 28 automatically, too. Incidentally, the lid 28 has a bumper(not shown) so that the lid 28 is opened and/or closed softly. Whetherthe bumper is provided or not is a matter of choice.

It is possible to open and/or close the lid automatically insynchronization with the movement of the CD-ROM driver. A descriptionwill now be given of a CD-ROM driver of a fourth embodiment according tothe present invention. In this embodiment, the lid 37 is forced in theopening direction by the spring 27, as in the third embodiment. And thelid 37 is smoothly closed by rollers 38 in synchronization with themovement of the CD-ROM driver 36 from the first position to the secondposition. The lid 37 has an engagement portion 37a into which tworollers 38 located in the accommodation case 12 are inserted to beengaged therewith. A plurality of bearings may be provided in thevicinity of the insertion opening 12b of the accommodation case 12.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a part of the CD-ROM driver 36 with a lid37 closed viewed from the direction B shown in FIG. 11. Each of therollers 38 is provided in the vicinity of the insertion opening 12b.Therefore, the lid 37 gets smoothly closed by the engagement of the lid37 with the rollers 38 as the CD-ROM driver 36 moves from the firstposition to the second position. Incidentally, whether the spring 27 isprovided or not is a matter of choice. If the spring 27 is not provided,only the automatic closing of the lid is possible. The CD-ROM diver 36has a concave part 36a, as shown in FIG. 8, which functions as anopening and/or closing space for the lid 37.

The accommodation case 12 in FIG. 4 comprises, as shown in FIG. 13, aback surface 12c having the magnet supporter 17 thereon fixed in thehousing 10a, a top surface 12d, a bottom surface 12e, and side surfaces12f and 12g which can be inserted and/or ejected via an mouth 51 of thehousing 10a. It is desirable to position the insertion opening 12b ofthe accommodation case 12 at the center of the mouth 51. Accordingly,the present invention also provides a positioning member which positionsthe insertion opening 12b at the center of the mouth 51.

A description will be given of a CD-ROM driver of a fifth embodimentaccording to the present invention with reference to FIGS. 14 to 19. Inthis embodiment, the accommodation case 12 comprises positioning members52 and 53 in the vicinity of the insertion opening 12b. Because of thepositioning members 52 and 53, the accommodation case 12 can beadequately engaged with the mouth 51 in the vicinity of the insertionopening 12b so that the insertion opening 12b is located at the centerof the mouth 51.

FIG. 14 shows a CD-ROM driver 60 of the fifth embodiment according tothe present invention. The positioning members 52 and 53 have squarepillar shapes made of synthetic resin, respectively, top surfaces whichproject from the top surface 12d by “a”, bottom surfaces which projectfrom the bottom surface 12e by “b”, side surfaces which projectrespectively from the side surfaces 12f and 12g by “c” and by “d”, asshown in FIGS. 15 to 17. The spans “e” of the positioning members 52 and53 are equal to the height “f” of the mouth 51 and the height “i” of thefront part 14a. The distance “g” between the side surfaces 52c and 53cis equal to the width “h” of of the mouth 51. The width “j” of the frontpart 14a is equal to the distance “k” between the top surfaces 52a and53a.

FIGS. 18 and 19 show the accommodation case 12 accommodated in thehousing 60a. The top surfaces 52a and 53a make contact with the topsurface 51a of the mouth 51, the bottom surfaces 52b and 53b makecontact with the bottom surface 51b thereof, side surfaces 52c and 53ccontact with the side surfaces 51c and 51d thereof, respectively. Thus,the aperture 55 between the accommodation case 12 and the housing 10a isuniformized so that the insertion opening 16 is positioned at the centerof the mouth 51.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, butvarious variations and modifications may be made without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case,accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operationalprocessor operatively connected to said first case, said housing havinga mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing andejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening havinga shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture between thefirst case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a first positionto a second position, said second case projecting from the first case sothat an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface ofsaid second case when said second case is located at the first position,said second case being operatively connected to the operationalprocessor via said first case when said second case is located at thesecond position, said second case being inserted into said first caseand projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case,said second case having a lid at a top surface thereof, the lid openingwhen said second case is located at the first position so that theoptical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejectedtherefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located atthe second position; driving means for driving the optical disk insertedinto said second case; moving means for moving said second case from thesecond position to the first position; opening means for opening thelid; lock means for locking the lid in order to keep the lid closed; andlock release means coupled to said lock means for releasing the lock ofsaid lock means, said lock release means releasing the lock of said lockmeans, and the opening means opening the lid in response to the movementof said second case from the second position to the first position,wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning members,oppositely located around the insertion opening, which are respectivelyinserted into a part of the aperture in order to position the insertionopening of the first case at substantially the center of the mouth whensaid first case is inserted into the housing, and fixing means forremovably fixing the second case in the first case when the second caseis located at the second position, and wherein said lock means furthercomprises: a hook provided on the lid; a hook lever, mounted on saidsecond case, engageable with the hook when the lid is closed; and aspring, mounted on said second case, which forces the hook lever in adirection in which the hook lever engages with the hook, the lid beingkept closed while the hook and the hook lever are engaged with eachother, and wherein said lock release means further comprises: aconnection member connected to the hook lever; moving detection meansfor detecting whether or not said second case has moved to approximatelythe first position; and engagement release means for forcing theconnecting member in a direction such that the hook is released frombeing engaged with the hook lever when the moving detection meansdetects that said second case has moved to approximately the firstposition.
 2. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case,accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operationalprocessor operatively connected to said first case, said housing havinga mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing andejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening havinga shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture between thefirst case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a first positionto a second position, said second case projecting from the first case sothat an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface ofsaid second case when said second case is located at the first position,said second case being operatively connected to the operationalprocessor via said first case when said second case is located at thesecond position, said second case being inserted into said first caseand projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case,said second case having a lid at the top surface of said second case,the lid opening when said second case is located at the first positionso that the optical disk can be inserted into said second case andejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case islocated at the second position; driving means for driving the opticaldisk inserted into said second case; moving means for moving said secondcase from the second position to the first position; opening means foropening the lid; lock means for locking the lid in order to keep the lidclosed; and lock release means coupled to said lock means for releasingthe lock of said lock means, said lock release means releasing the lockof said lock means, and the opening means opening the lid in response tothe movement of said second case from the second position to the firstposition, wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioningmembers, oppositely located around the insertion opening, which arerespectively inserted into a part of the aperture in order to positionthe insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center ofthe mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and fixingmeans for removably fixing the second case in the first case when thesecond case is located at the second position, and wherein said lockmeans further comprises: a hook provided on the lid; a hook lever,mounted on said second case, engagable with the hook when the lid isclosed; and a spring, mounted on said second case, which forces the hooklever in a direction in which the hook lever engages with the hook, thelid being kept closed while the hook and the hook lever are engaged witheach other, and wherein said lock release means further comprises: aconnection member connected with the hook lever; moving detection meansfor detecting whether or not said second case has moved to approximatelythe first position; and engagement release means for forcing theconnection member in a direction such that the hook is released frombeing engaged with the hook lever when the moving detection meansdetects that said second case has moved to approximately the firstposition, and wherein the moving detection means further comprises: aprojection, projecting in the vicinity of the insertion opening of saidfirst case; and an engagement member, located in the vicinity of an edgeof said second case, engagable with the projection when said second caseis approximately moved to the first position, the engagement releasemeans operatively connecting the engagement member to the connectionmember, and the engagement release means moving the engagement member tomove the connection member in the direction that releases the hook fromengagement with the hook lever when the engagement member is engagedwith the projection.
 3. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case,accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operationalprocessor operatively connected to said first case, said housing havinga mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing andejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening havinga shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture between thefirst case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a first positionto a second position, said second case projecting from the first case sothat an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface ofsaid second case when said second case is located at the first position,said second case being operatively connected to the operationalprocessor via said first case when said second case is located at thesecond position, said second case being inserted into said first caseand projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case,said second case comprising a lid at the top surface thereof, the lidopening when said second case is located at the first position so thatthe optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejectedtherefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located atthe second position; driving means for driving the optical disk insertedinto said second case; and closing means operable when said second caseis moved from the first position to the second position with the lidopen, said closing means closing the lid softly, in synchronization withthe movement of said second case, wherein said first case comprises: apair of positioning members, oppositely located around the insertionopening, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture inorder to position the insertion opening of said first case atsubstantially the center of the mouth when said first case is insertedinto the housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second casein the first case when the second case is located at the secondposition.
 4. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case,accommodated in a housing which includes therein an operationalprocessor operatively connected to said first case, said housing havinga mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing andejected therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening havinga shape corresponding to the mouth, there being an aperture between thefirst case and the mouth; a second case, movable from a first positionto a second position, said second case projecting from the first case sothat an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface ofsaid second case when said second case is located at the first position,said second case being operatively connected to the operationalprocessor, via said first case, when said second case is located at thesecond position, said second case being inserted into said first caseand projected therefrom via the insertion opening of said first case,said second case comprising a lid at the top surface thereof, the lidopening when said second case is located at the first position so thatthe optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejectedtherefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located atthe second position; driving means for driving the optical disk insertedinto said second case; and closing means operable when said second caseis moved from the first position to the second position with the lidopen, said closing means closing the lid softly in synchronization withthe movement of said second case, wherein said first case comprises: apair of positioning members, oppositely located around the insertionopening, which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture inorder to position the insertion opening of the first case atsubstantially the center of the mouth when said first case is insertedinto the housing, and fixing means for removably fixing the second casein the first case when the second case is located at the secondposition, and wherein said closing means further comprises: roller meanslocated in the vicinity of the insertion opening of said first case; andan engagement part, engagable with the roller means, provided on thelid, the lid gradually being closed by the engagement of the rollermeans with the engagement part of the lid as said second case moves fromthe first position to the second position.
 5. An optical disk drivercomprising: a first case, accommodated in a housing which includestherein an operational processor operatively connected to said firstcase, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is insertedinto the housing and ejected therefrom, said first case including aninsertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, there beingan aperture between the first case and the mouth; a second case, movablefrom a first position to a second position, said second case projectingfrom the first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejectedvia a top surface of said second case when said second case is locatedat the first position, said second case being operatively connected tothe operational processor, via said first case, when said second case islocated at the second position, said second case being inserted intosaid first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening ofsaid first case, said second case comprising a lid at the top surfacethereof, the lid opening when said second case is located at the firstposition so that the optical disk can be inserted into said second caseand ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case islocated at the second position; driving means for driving the opticaldisk inserted into said second case; and closing means operable whensaid second case is moved from the first position to the second positionwith the lid open, said closing means closing the lid softly insynchronization with the movement of said second case, wherein saidfirst case comprises: a pair of positioning members, oppositely locatedaround the insertion opening, which are respectively inserted into apart of the aperture in order to position the insertion opening of thefirst case at substantially the center of the mouth when said first caseis inserted into the housing, and fixing means for removably fixing thesecond case in the first case when the second case is located at thesecond position, and wherein said closing means further comprises: abearing located in the vicinity of the insertion opening; and anengagement part engagable with the bearing, provided on the lid, the lidgradually being closed by the engagement of the bearing with theengagement part of the lid as said second case is moved from the firstposition to the second position.
 6. An optical disk driver comprising:first case, accommodated in a housing which includes therein anoperational processor operatively connected to said first case, saidhousing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into thehousing and ejected therefrom, said first case including an insertionopening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existingbetween the first case and the mouth; a second case, movable from afirst position to a second position, said second case projecting fromthe first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via atop surface of said second case when said second case is located at thefirst position, said second case being operatively connected to theoperational processor via said first case when said second case islocated at the second position, and said second case being inserted intosaid first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening ofsaid first case; and driving means for driving the optical disk insertedinto said second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair ofpositioning members, oppositely located around the insertion opening,which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to positionthe insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center ofthe mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and fixingmeans for removably fixing the second case in the first case when thesecond case is located at the second position, and wherein said secondcase comprises a lid openable and closeable at the top surface of saidsecond case, the lid opening when said second case is located at thefirst position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said secondcase and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said secondcase is located at the second position.
 7. An optical disk driveraccording to claim 6, wherein said fixing means comprises a magnetprovided in said first case, which magnet magnetically fixes said secondcase when the second case is located at the second position.
 8. Anoptical disk driver according to claim 7, wherein said first casefurther comprises a latch mechanism operatively connected to the magnet,the magnet being released from being fixed by the latch mechanism whensaid second case is pushed from the first direction to the seconddirection so that said second case can be moved from the second positionto the first position.
 9. An optical disk drive according to claim 6,wherein the mouth and the insertion opening respectively haverectangular shapes, and wherein the positioning members have identicalsquare pillar shapes, and are located adjacent to a first side of theinsertion opening and a second side thereof opposite to the first side.10. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case accommodated in ahousing which includes therein an operational processor operativelyconnected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which saidfirst case is inserted into the housing and removed therefrom, saidfirst case including an insertion opening having a shape correspondingto the mouth, an aperture existing between the insertion opening and themouth; a second case, movable between a first position and a secondposition, said second case projecting from the first case so that anoptical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of saidsecond case when said second case is located at the first position, saidsecond case being operatively connected to the operational processor viasaid first case when said second case is located at the second position,and said second case being inserted into said first case and projectedtherefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and drivingmeans for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case,wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning membersprovided oppositely around the first case, which are respectivelyinserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion openingof the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when saidfirst case is inserted into the housing, and fixing means for removablyfixing the second case in the first case when the second case is locatedat the second position, and wherein said second case comprises a lidopenable and closeable at the top surface of said second case, the lidopening when said second case is located at the first position so thatthe optical disk can be inserted into said second case and ejectedtherefrom, and the lid being closed when said second case is located atthe second position.
 11. An optical disk driver comprising: a first caseaccommodated in a housing which includes therein an operationalprocessor operatively connected to said first case, said housing havinga mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing andremoved therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening havinga shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between theinsertion opening and the mouth; a second case, movable between a firstposition and a second position, said second case projecting from thefirst case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a topsurface of said second case when said second case is located at thefirst position, said second case being operatively connected to theoperational processor via said first case when said second case islocated at the second position, and said second case being inserted intosaid first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening ofsaid first case; and driving means for driving the optical disk insertedinto said second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair ofpositioning members provided oppositely around the first case which arerespectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position theinsertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of themouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and fixingmeans for removably fixing the second case in the first case when thesecond case is located at the second position, and wherein said secondcase comprises a disk holding means such that the optical disk is heldby the disk holding means in the first position of the second case sothat the optical disk can be inserted into said second case and removedtherefrom.
 12. An optical disk driver comprising: a first caseaccommodated in a housing which includes therein an operationalprocessor operatively connected to said first case, said housing havinga mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing andremoved therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening havinga shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between theinsertion opening and the mouth; a second case, movable between a firstposition and a second position, said second case projecting from thefirst case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a topsurface of said second case when said second case is located at thefirst position, said second case being operatively connected to theoperational processor via said first case when said second case islocated at the second position, and said second case being inserted intosaid first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening ofsaid first case; and driving means for driving the optical disk insertedinto said second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair ofpositioning members provided oppositely located around the first case,which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to positionthe insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center ofthe mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and fixingmeans for removably fixing the second case in the first case when thesecond case is located at the second position, and wherein the secondcase comprises a disk holding means associated with the top surface ofsaid second case, the disk holding means capable of receiving andmaintaining the optical disk in a predetermined position when the secondcase is located at the first position such that the optical disk can beinserted into said second case and held by said disk holding means andthen ejected therefrom by release of the disk holding means in the firstposition.
 13. An optical disk driver comprising: a first caseaccommodated in a housing which includes therein an operationalprocessor operatively connected to said first case, said housing havinga mouth via which said first case is inserted into the housing andremoved therefrom, said first case including an insertion opening havinga shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existing between theinsertion opening and the mouth; a second case, movable between a firstposition and a second position, said second case projecting from thefirst case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via a topsurface of said second case when said second case is located at thefirst position, said second case being operatively connected to theoperational processor via said first case when said second case islocated at the second position, and said second case being inserted intosaid first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening ofsaid first case; and driving means for driving the optical disk insertedinto said second case, wherein said insertion opening comprises: a pairof positioning members provided oppositely around the first case, whichare respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to position theinsertion opening of the first case at substantially the center of themouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and fixingmeans for removably fixing the second case in the first case when thesecond case is located at the second position, and a disk holding meansassociated with the top surface of said second case wherein said diskholding means holds the optical disk in a fixed position when saidsecond case is in the first position and allows the optical disk to bemoved from the first position to the second position withoutinterference from the first case.
 14. An optical disk driver comprising:a first case accommodated in a housing which includes therein anoperational processor operatively connected to said first case, saidhousing having a mouth via which said first case is inserted into thehousing and removed therefrom, said first case including an insertionopening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an aperture existingbetween the first case and the mouth; a second case, movable from afirst position to a second position, said second case projecting fromthe first case so that an optical disk can be inserted and ejected via atop surface of said second case when said second case is located at thefirst position, said second case being operatively connected to theoperational processor via said first case when said second case islocated at the second position, and said second case being inserted intosaid first case and projected therefrom via the insertion opening ofsaid first case; and driving means for driving the optical disk insertedinto said second case, wherein said first case comprises: a pair ofpositioning members, oppositely located around the insertion opening,which are respectively inserted into a part of the aperture to positionthe insertion opening of the first case at substantially the center ofthe mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing, and fixingmeans for removably fixing the second case in the first case when thesecond case is located at the second position, and wherein said secondcase comprises a lid openable and closeable at the top surface of saidsecond case, the lid opening when said second case is located at thefirst position so that the optical disk can be inserted into said secondcase and ejected therefrom, and the lid being closed when said secondcase is located at the second position wherein the openable position ofthe lid defines a location of the second case that provides access toposition the disk on the second case and the closeable position of thelid defines a location of the second case in which the disk isinaccessible to prevent removal of the optical disk from the secondcase.
 15. An optical disk driver comprising: a first case accommodatedin a housing which includes therein an operational processor operativelyconnected to said first case, said housing having a mouth via which saidfirst case is inserted into the housing and removed therefrom, saidfirst case including an insertion opening having a shape correspondingto the mouth, an aperture existing between the insertion opening and themouth; a second case, movable between a first position and a secondposition, said second case projecting from the first case so that anoptical disk can be inserted and ejected via a top surface of saidsecond case when said second case is located at the first position, saidsecond case being operatively connected to the operational processor viasaid first case when said second case is located at the second position,and said second case being inserted into said first case and projectedtherefrom via the insertion opening of said first case; and drivingmeans for driving the optical disk inserted into said second case,wherein said first case comprises: a pair of positioning membersprovided oppositely around the first case, which are respectivelyinserted into a part of the aperture to position the insertion openingof the first case at substantially the center of the mouth when saidfirst case is inserted into the housing, and fixing means for removablyfixing the second case in the first case when the second case is locatedat the second position, and wherein said second case comprises a diskholding means provided on a top surface of said second case so as to bemovable between a first position and a second position, in which thedisk holding means is moved from the first position to the secondposition when the optical disk is held by the disk holding means at thefirst position of the second case, and the disk holding means holdingthe optical disk is being kept in its first position when the secondcase is located at the second position thereof.
 16. An optical diskdriver comprising: a first case accommodated in a housing which includestherein an operational processor operatively connected to said firstcase, said housing having a mouth via which said first case is insertedinto the housing and removed therefrom, said first case including aninsertion opening having a shape corresponding to the mouth, an apertureexisting between the insertion opening and the mouth; a second case,movable between a first position and a second position, said second caseprojecting from the first case so that an optical disk can be insertedand ejected via a top surface of said second case when said second caseis located at the first position, said second case being operativelyconnected to the operational processor via said first case when saidsecond case is located at the second position, and said second cagebeing inserted into said first case and projected therefrom via theinsertion opening of said first case; and driving means for driving theoptical disk inserted into said second case, wherein said first casecomprises: a pair of positioning members provided oppositely around thefirst case, which are respectively inserted into a part of the apertureto position the insertion opening of the first case at substantially thecenter of the mouth when said first case is inserted into the housing,and fixing means for removably fixing the second case in the first casewhen the second case is located at the second position, and wherein saidsecond case comprises a disk holding means movable between a firstposition and a second position in which the disk holding means isadapted to be moved from the first position to the second position forholding the inserted optical disk at the first position of the secondcase, and the disk holding means is adapted to be moved from the secondposition to the first position for removing or ejecting the optical diskat the first position of the second case, and wherein the disk holdingmeans holding the optical disk is being kept in its first position whenthe second case is located at the second position thereof.